Masculinity norms and their economic consequences

Article here. Excerpt:

'Masculinity norms can create powerful labour market distortions. Men often refuse service sector jobs that conflict with masculine identity, preferring unemployment to doing ‘feminine’ work – a behaviour that is particularly salient following waves of technological progress and globalisation that disproportionately affected male employment (such as the ‘China shock’ in the US). This rigidity reflects how masculinity norms assign value to occupations based on their gender composition, systematically devaluing female-dominated sectors.

Within organisations, ‘masculinity contest cultures’ can promote intense competition according to masculine rules: displaying strength, showing no weakness, and valuing work above all else. These cultures normalise extreme working hours and create hostile, excessively competitive environments that undermine work-family balance. Such dynamics contribute to persistent gender gaps in the labour market – for example, child penalties for women and low paternity leave uptake among men.'